From: Nicole van Dam Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 20:33:33 -0400 Subject: Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (1/4) Archiving: Gossamer: sure... Anywhere else, please ask... I don't usually say no Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (4/4) Nicole van Dam lone_jaguar@geocities.com Category: X, A (God... never thought one of my fics would have those two letters ) Spoilers: Nothing except my previous fic, Introspective... Rating: R (blood 'n' guts and the occasional swear word) Summary: Scully, Mulder and Skinner jet to the Amazon to save Thornton's life, but aren't met with open arms... Notes: It's been a while, yes... I understand. A life leapt on me and decided to make me its master, so I'm a little behind. Not to worry. This is the long-awaited sequel to Introspective and I thank the couple frantic messages I got after the first one... Just be careful... this ain't gonna end the way I planned it... Gotta make room for upcoming fics, donchaknow... (foreshadow, foreshadow...) Fox Mulder, Dana Scully and Walter Skinner are the sole property of Chris Carter so it's not my fault they haven't gotten jiggy wit it yet... I ain't makin no bucks off this, but hey, who cares... I've gotten used to the no money thing anyway. Joanne Thornton belongs to me whether she likes it or not (and boy, she's gonna really like me soon... foreshadow, foreshadow)... Miguel Sanches is also mine, though he was just a puppet. Comments, rants, raves, suggestions, and questions can all be directed to me: lone_jaguar@geocities.com Enjoy the show... Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (1/4) Nicole van Dam ********** I don't understand. I've tried all my life to look at myself and achieve that peace. The peace that most people get once they understand who they are and where they came from. I don't understand. I thought I did once. When I originally went to Canada to grow up and live with my "family". Then to New York and to work with the FBI. I thought I knew then, too. Apparently, I had been dually deceived. Not only was I not "under control" of my Instinct, but I was not human altogether. This was, perhaps the hardest thing I'm sure anyone would have to deal with. Not human. God, what happens to people in that kind of situation? This is something that I'm attempting to break... to discover. That's why I'm here. Among what I was born with. The sights, the sounds, the smells... The life. Perhaps among this, I can find what I'm looking for. Assuming I know what that is... ******** Amazon Rainforest The largest rainforest in the world also happened to be one of the biggest concerns in almost every person's mind. The lush forest canopy hid the life that burst from the seams underneath. The damp floor, covered in a variety of hundreds of plants, seemed to move under the care of the endless amount of life. Insects, animals, the morning rain, as it did almost every day. No one, however, would expect the serene quality of the rainforest to be interrupted by the crack of semi-automatic machine guns and the cry of the dying. The damp ground was suddenly trampled by a dozen feet, the mud was kicked up in every direction. A group of uniformed men spoke hurriedly in Portuguese, one man directing the six men with him to different parts of the forest. Guns were slung over their backs and they were constantly looking around them, as if they thought something was going to ambush them. It wasn't a second later. The six men yelled orders and warnings as several figures dropped from low-hanging branches from above. They scattered helplessly, unable to draw their guns in time. In an instant, most had fallen, but one had managed to escape. Looking frantically behind him at his fallen comrades, he ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He watched the Amazon natives see him off, wondering why they weren't following him. He didn't care. He just wanted to get the hell out of there and back to his superior to request an alternate plan against the natives. He didn't get very far. As if night itself had made itself known, a lone figure dropped silently from the trees above the escaping officer. He skidded to a stop on the muddy forest floor and fell backwards, stopping himself with a hand. He looked up at the painted barely dressed figure and waited. When it just watched him; just stared and didn't move, he scrambled to his feet. Just as he was about to take off again, the figure reached out, grabbing the gun slung to his back. It pulled him backwards and wrapped an arm around his neck. The man panicked, but knew he couldn't do anything. He pleaded to the mysterious native in Portuguese, hoping it would understand. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, it wasn't an issue. The officer's head was snapped quickly to the right, breaking his neck and killing him instantly. The dark figure dropped the officer to the forest floor and stood up, looking around. The group of other natives began to scatter as the sound of gunshots started to ring out. The lone figure looked down at the officer, then back up at a fellow native. He wasn't as dark as the others, but the same colour as the figure he touched. The man started off ahead a little, then turned back, waving an arm. "Come on, Jo! Let's get out of here!" ******** Dana Scully walked out of her kitchen with a bowl of popcorn and a glass of water, her eyes glued to the movie on her television set. She sat down and leaned into the couch, grabbing the remote and pushing the volume up a few notches. This was one of the few nights she got to herself. Just sitting at home with her TV was one of the few pleasures she really had lately. She and Mulder had been running around here and there and everywhere and now they had a little downtime. Paperwork was almost caught up, no case, it was the perfect opportunity to just... "Relax," Dana told herself. For some reason, she couldn't. There was a nagging she could feel. Something she hadn't done, maybe, or something that was coming up. The shrill ring of the phone pulled her back to reality. "Hello?" "Scully, turn it to CNN." It was Mulder. Probably wanting her to check out some kind of weird medical story or something. "What's up, Mulder?" she asked. He took a minute to answer. "Just watch." Scully watched the Headline News flash up. "It seems as though the war between the Arawak natives and the Brazilian police has escalated. Latest casualties are at about fifteen. Brazilian Officials say they are trying to bring the natives into civilisation, but are having difficulties navigating through the dense rainforest. Last word was the police were organising a group of guides to take them in. More on that, in just a moment." There was a silence over the phone line as the commercial started. "Mulder, is that...?" "Where Jo is, yes," he replied. Another pause. "We've got to go," she said. "We've got to tell Skinner, she could be killed." "I'll meet you at his place." ******** Walter Skinner stumbled down the stairs to reach the door to his apartment. He was just beginning to enjoy a long night's sleep and did not enjoy the interruption. Flicking the lights on, he opened the door. "What are you two doing here?" he asked. "Sir," Scully paused. "You need to watch the news..." ******** Mulder glanced at Scully and then back to their superior. He was somewhat in a state of shock, they both supposed. That, and the fact that he needed to decide what to do about it. Skinner sat on his couch, a hand at his chin, allowing the news to sink in. He realised that something had to be done and for some reason, the only conclusion he could come to, was to go to her. To go to Jo and try his damnedest to get her out of there. He turned to the duo beside him. "What do you two think?" he asked. Neither one said anything for a moment, unsure of what kind of response he wanted. Mulder decided to speak up. "W... we figured that we would go down there. To... to see if we could maybe convince her to come back." He swallowed, watching the Assistant Director. Walter stared off at the far wall of his apartment. He knew he was making his two agents somewhat nervous by not responding, but he needed to make sure what he was about to say was the right thing. Going down there would be an invasion on his part, he knew that. She went down there with a purpose. To find out what she really was. And going down there to try and take her back would be selfish and undoubtedly put them in a worse way than they were already. Walter sighed and turned to Mulder and Scully. "Go home... get some things together." Skinner stood up and walked to his phone. "I'll see what I can do about transportation and I'll call you." ******** End o' parte uno... Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (2/4) Nicole van Dam ******** I'm not sure how they know. I arrived and before I said a word, they knew. Stealth, Mystic... both were used to address me. But Jaguar was the one that stayed constant. I can't speak their language, but I can communicate with them. It's some sort of emoting or body language... facial expressions and tone. And through only seeing me, they've discovered the secret I've hid for so long. They know what I can do. For some reason, this ability of mine has somehow promoted me in the hierarchy. I'm not much of a leader as such, but some kind of alarm. I stay in the trees and watch, cover their backs. I'm rarely on the ground anymore and have mastered climbing in very little time. In very rare cases, I have been able to move from tree to tree without needing the forest floor. And I am sacred to them, I've discovered. I've met a man not unlike me in the instance that he came from a native father and a white mother. He as well has learned to live in civilisation, but we both disagree that the present natives need to be modernised. It isn't necessary. Through Javez, I can speak with the natives. He knows their language as well as my own. Which a nice grounder. God knows I need it... ******** The trio of Federal Agents moved quickly through the small crowd of police on the edge of a highway. The road barreled through a portion of the rainforest that was on some kind of trail to the natives' camp and the Brazilian military police were just in the midst of preparing another go into the forest. They watched the officers until one caught sight of them and walked over. Skinner took the lead and flashed his badge. "Assistant Director Walter Skinner of the FBI." The dark-skinned officer frowned and took his badge. "FBI?" he repeated. "Who called you?" "No one did, we're here on unofficial business." Mulder stepped forward. "We need to get to the natives' camp," he said and the officer laughed. "You would be fools to go in there alone," he replied. "We lost six armed men yesterday. You would not make it twenty feet." Skinner snatched his badge back and looked down at him. "What's your name, officer?" he asked sternly. "Sanches," the shorter man replied. "Miguel Sanches." "Well Sanches," Walter said. "We don't want any part of your investigation. We have a good friend in the native camp and we want her out." "Her?" Sanches said. He chuckled. "There are no women warriors; they do not know how to fight." Skinner sucked in a deep breath and bit his tongue, trying his utmost to reign his anger. He stepped closer. Mulder and Scully looked at each other, unwilling to intervene. "She could tear your throat out in a matter of seconds." A small smirk found its way onto Skinner's face. "And I mean that literally." He regained his previous distance. "Now how do we get to the camp?" ******** Fox Mulder tugged at the jean shirt he wore, wishing he hadn't worn it at all. Nor the jeans over his legs. It was damn hot in this forest and he could feel the material gripping his skin. His bangs stuck to his forehead as the three of them trudged along the "path" the Brazilian police had set them on, which wasn't really much of a path at all. "Go straight," they had said. Looking behind him, Mulder offered a hand to his partner who was having some trouble finding her footing. "Thanks," she said softly and he nodded. She looked just as uncomfortable as he did. Scully fell in step behind her partner and looked up at the AD a few feet ahead. "It's like he's on a mission," she said quietly. Mulder nodded. "I know it well." He smirked at Scully. "But I think he knows what he's doing." He looked up. "I just hope Jo realises it." ******** Early afternoon... and I half-relax on the branch I'm on. The rain should come again soon. We didn't have a shower this morning. There's a certain feeling of guilt that I have. Maybe it's worry, I'm not sure. But I know that something... different is happening to me and I'm not sure if it's all that good. I'm beginning to like it here... ******** "How much further, do you think?" Scully called from behind. Walter stopped and looked back at her. He ran a hand over his bald head, wiping the sweat from it. Pulling the shirt from his body, he leaned against a large tree. "I'm not sure," he said. "I'm beginning to wonder if this is the right path." He exhaled in a gush of breath and looked around. Mulder stopped and did the same. "I don't think we should veer off the path any... This place looks the same on every side. We could get lost in a matter of minutes." "I think I am lost," Dana said. "I mean, we're not sure where this camp is, it could still be for miles." The trio glanced up at the forest canopy when the conversation was interrupted by thunder. Neither one of them had the opportunity to react before the rain poured down. Mulder looked at his partner. "Well," he said. "Guess a dry season is a little hard to hope for in a rainforest." Skinner pushed himself from the tree, his clothing already soaked and clinging to his skin. He ran a hand over his face. "Well let's keep going," he offered. "Maybe it's not too far." ******** The rain is always welcomed. It's always a refreshing break from the humid heat of the forest. I straighten on my branch, allowing the rain to run through my hair and over my body. I pull a leaf from the tree and catch some rain to drink, but the soft sound of footsteps on the forest floor distract my attention. I creep to my bare feet on the branch, relieved that I'd left most of my clothes on the ground. I remain only with a pair of black cotton boxers and a black sports bra. It certainly cuts down restriction. Especially when it rains upwards of four times a day and you have no shelter most of the time. I grab the lengthy spear from its resting place against the trunk and balance myself on the branch, holding it in both hands. This is my job in the tribe. The Primary Killer... ******** Dana Scully's foot slipped slightly in the mud and was grateful that her partner caught her arm. He smiled at her and they continued, the water now becoming a nuisance more than anything. She flipped a few wet bangs from her forehead, blowing drops of water from her nose. "Where the hell is this camp?" she asked. "We've been out here for hours." Mulder looked ahead. "I dunno... The rain makes it a little difficult to see." Walter pointed ahead. "I can see some movement. We're almost th--UNH!" He barely saw the shadow fall from the tree and nail him squarely in the chest. Mulder and Scully froze as Skinner fell hard to the soft ground. They almost missed the dark figure bringing the spear up over its head. Until they realised who it was. "Jo!!!" The spear jerked to a stop and the figure looked up. Mulder and Scully were virtually speechless. Her image had changed so radically. Wearing nothing but boxers and a bra and no shoes. Not even socks. Her skin was darker than they had remembered, most likely tanned by the sun and her bare feet were covered in dirt and mud. Her flat stomach was more defined than Skinner had ever recalled it, as was the rest of her body and coloured streaks decorated her skin in a variety of places: her arms, her legs, her face and stomach. The added jewellery and the look in her eye... She looked positively untamed. Joanne looked from Scully and Mulder to the man at her feet. No one said a word and in an instant, Jo spun on her heel and started walking away. Walter scrambled to his feet. "Joanne, wait," he called. Thornton turned around again, this time the look in her eye was not of surprise. She was enraged. She continued down the path and Skinner hurried after her. Mulder and Scully were somewhat stunned, but followed their superior. "Joanne..." She kept walking and the camp was beginning to appear in the distance. The rain had stopped and the natives were up and around again. Walter glanced back at his agents, looking for help. Neither had any idea what to say. "Joanne, please..." Skinner reached forward and grabbed her arm in attempt to stop her. Mulder extended an arm and halted his partner out of instinct as the Brazilian spun around and delivered a right hook to the AD's jaw. Walter collapsed on the forest floor; splattering mud all over his already muddy clothes. Thornton walked to his side and knelt beside him. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him close to her. "I could lose all three of you in a matter of seconds." She glanced to the camp and saw her friend Javez moving toward them. Jo stared through Skinner. "Out here, there is no mercy." She dropped him to the floor as her friend arrived. "Jo!" he called. The tall, dark man jogged up to the quartet. He glanced at Skinner on the ground, holding his jaw. "What's goin on?" Thornton looked into the distance for a moment, then back to her friend. "Bring them into the camp. They need something to eat and drink." She nodded toward the man on the ground. "And he needs tending to." Picking the spear up from the ground, Jo continued her way to the camp. The Portuguese man extended his hand to Walter. "My name is Javez," he told them. The Assistant Director accepted his hand and pulled himself up. Javez smiled and looked at Mulder and Scully. "Follow me. We'll get you all cleaned up and out of the rain." ******** Joanne Thornton pushed aside the hanging leaves and walked inside a small hut. This was hers. It wasn't much, but a pile of leaves as a bed and a place to keep what little luggage she had brought with her. She sighed and faced the wall, trying to calm the rush of blood that was circulating through her. Her heart raced in her chest and made her feel like screaming. "Jo?" Thornton spun around to find Javez poking his head past the leaves. "Come in," she sighed. "It's okay." The tall man stepped in. He wore no more clothes than she did, in fact, less. "Are you alright?" he asked. "I mean, back there..." "Yeah, I'm okay," she said, running a hand through her wet hair. "This was just... a surprise." He watched her with concern; not really sure if she meant really what she said. Deciding he would leave her be, he nodded. "Okay," he replied. "Your friends have been given a hut to stay in. The tall bald guy's okay, too... he's been tended and just has a bit of a headache." Jo nodded. "Good." There was a short pause before Javez turned and headed to the door. When he was halfway through, he turned back. "Jo... You know them, don't you?" "I knew them..." ******** Night fell faster than either one of the federal agents had wanted. They were hoping to reconcile with Jo, but no opportunity had presented itself until then. She had been gone most of the time after they had arrived, using excuses like she had jobs to do around the camp. Now they sat around the large fire in the middle of the camp, the awkwardness hard to bear. Mulder and Scully looked at one another, then at the Assistant Director who nursed a bruised jaw. No one spoke until the sound of footsteps caught their attention. Mulder looked back to see Jo approaching. She crouched down by the fire and grabbed a piece of fruit that was in a small bowl. He and Scully watched her until one of them had the gumption to speak. "Jo... we're sorry," came Scully's voice. "We just wanted you to be safe." The redhead shivered when the Brazilian looked up. Her eyes were cold and unfeeling. "I don't know you anymore," she said, her voice matching her eyes. She looked back into the bowl and picked up another piece of fruit. "But Jo... we heard about the conflict and were--" "No," Thornton interrupted. "You knew I was here and couldn't stand it. You knew I was here on a personal journey and you couldn't not know what was going on." Jo stood. "You just can't stand things happening without you knowing and you can't keep your bloody noses out of what isn't any of your business." "But Jo..." Jo put out her hand. "I'm asking you now. Stay out of my damn life." ******** End o' parte dos... Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (3/4) Nicole van Dam ******** The shouts of the many natives woke Mulder from his fitful sleep on the dirt floor of his hut. He sat up and took a moment to figure out where he was. When he heard the footsteps running past his hut, he scrambled to his feet and pushed past the leaf-curtain. The dark camp was alive with black figures scurrying about with various weaponry in their hands. He tried to talk to the natives rushing by him, to no avail. When he was about to run after them, a strong hand stopped him flat. Mulder looked up to see the painted face of his Brazilian friend. "Stay here," she said. "What's going on?" Fox asked, glancing at the long staff she held. "There's been an ambush," she told him. "Just stay here." Mulder stood straight. "I want to go." Thornton rolled her eyes. "*Stay*. *Here*." "Listen Jo, I don't think that this is the time to play hero. If you need he--" "God *dammit*, Mulder! I don't have time for this shit! Haven't you done enough?" Thornton paused as her chest heaved. "Just stay here and don't bloody move, okay?" Mulder stood blankly and a second later, Jo took off into the darkness. He watched her disappear as fast as she had arrived and not a second later, Scully skidded to a stop beside her partner and looked up at him. "What's going on?" she asked. Fox didn't look at her, his eyes still trained on the dark forest. "I don't know," he replied. He looked at her without expression. "I've been told to stay put." Mulder walked past her toward the fire that always burned in the middle of the camp during the night. He sat in front of it and watched the few women and children of the camp wander around. They looked as if they were setting up for something. "Mulder?" Fox looked up to see the Assistant Director looking down at him. He offered a hand to help the AD to sit beside him. Walter looked at him, expressionless. "I just wanted to let you know that even though Joanne doesn't yet appreciate why we've come, I'm glad you and Agent Scully came to me. Thank you." Mulder nodded. "We figured it was important to you. Even though you're not?" He wasn't sure if he even wanted to say it. Skinner closed his eyes to the fire and nodded slightly. "I was too hard on her," he said. "I took it too far and I'm? paying the consequences, I guess." Fox frowned. 'If you don't mind my asking?" He trailed off. Walter watched him for a moment. "We had a fight? I said she was irresponsible?" "That's it?" The AD paused and watched Scully take a spot beside Mulder. He thought they had been told about the fight, but maybe she was as protective of it as he was. He figured in the situation, maybe he should tell them. They were Joanne's friends? "It wasn't that that set her off," he said. "At least, I don't think it was." "What was it?" Dana asked mildly. "I accused her? of cheating." He watched his agents' reactions. They wer e very good. He couldn't see any difference in their expressions. There was a long silence as Skinner watched the fire crackle in front of them. "So you broke up?" Fox asked. Walter nodded. "After she threatened to rejoin the FBI, ultimately making our relationship null and void." "So that's why she rejoined?" Mulder concluded. "But her hand??" Skinner smirked and simply pointed to the large bruise on his face. "She may look small, but she packs one hell of a hit." Mulder's eyes widened. "She *hit* you?" He looked at Scully. His partner nodded. "Her hand was broken," she told him. "She told me she hurt it practising." Skinner smiled. "She's a wizard at protecting herself." The sudden commotion coming from the huts around the camp broke the trio out of their conversation. The women and children that had been running around the camp, focusing on something, started to assemble as the warriors returned. The expressions on their faces read nothing. The wounded went to the huts with the women to be tended to and the other men wandered further into the camp to find food and water. Jo Thornton walked out of the group with the long staff. She wore several scratches and the painted stripes on her face had been marred by blood. Dana Scully stood as the Brazilian continued toward her hut. The two men at the fire watched her leave, not bothering to follow. "Jo?" she started. "Go away," the woman said, not slowing her walk at all. Scully jogged a second to catch up. "Jo, you're hurt." Thornton put a hand out. "Just get the hell away from me." "Jo, God *dammit*, would you drop the heroics and *listen*?" Dana demanded. If it was Jo's attention she wanted, she sure got it. The Brazilian turned around, obviously not impressed by Scully's display of forwardness. Jo relaxed slightly and put her weight on one leg. Scully stepped closer. "I don't believe you," she said. "I understand that you're upset because we horned in on your personal journey, but we came here in concern for your life. I'm sorry if that seems selfish." "Dana, I don't need your help. I'm fine and I'm actually starting to like it here." Scully couldn't believe it. "Like it?" she repeated. "Yeah, like it, and I wouldn't give it a second thought if I was asked to stay here. It's not like anyone appreciates me in the city. I'm revered here, Dana. I'm practically worshipped; I don't need to hide." The small agent had a hard time believing what she was hearing. "You would leave your friends, your *family*?" She trailed off as she looked back at Skinner and stepped closer to Jo. "You would leave a man who *loves* you to wonder every morning whether you made it through the night? You would give all that up for the status of a *celebrity*?" Dana shook her head and moved to within a whisper's distance. "Look at that man, Jo. He loves you enough to jeopardise his job? his life to come here and make sure you return home alive. Give him the same respect." She looked up and into the Brazilian's eyes. "Don't give up on a man who would do anything for you." Scully watched Jo for a moment, before turning on her heel and walking back to the fire. ******** Every night I'm asked to patrol the area. It's not a big deal, really. I like to do it. I wander around the camp, making sure there's no disturbance anywhere. It's a good time to reflect on anything you might want to. Tonight? I'm reflecting on my latest lecture. Taken, not given. Dana had a point? I'm just not sure what that point was yet. Of course, though, I'm not the only one on the patrol. There are a few others, but I don't bother them. I'm usually on my own out here and very rarely do I ever run into anything but the regular forest life? ******** The Brazilian kept a good eye around the camp as she walked the perimeter. The cool rainforest air was always welcomed as the alternate to the humid, aching heat that accompanied the day. Her staff sunk into the mud that covered the pathways and the soft "shuck" of the wood being pulled out of the ground calmed her and offered a cadence. It was so routine. She walked behind the huts and looked between them as she went by. She looked around her and kept watching for the others on the same route. It was when she saw the shadow in front of the fire that she became curious. No one usually hung around there. The fire burned all night to keep the camp safe, but it was always set high enough so there wouldn't need to be anyone watching it. Taking a last look around her, Jo stepped between a couple huts and walked toward the mystery figure. She was quiet as possible and once she was within a few feet, she addressed the shadow. "Hey? " The figure turned and she was stopped short. "Hi." Her tone was of surprise and she suddenly built herself a wall. Walter Skinner watched her carefully, the bruise around his eye was in its highest stages? a deep purple. "Nice outfit." He jutted his chin toward her. Jo leaned against her staff. "Comes with the job description," she replied. "I didn't know you considered what you do a job." Thornton watched him blankly. "You always had a problem with that, didn't you?" Skinner shifted his position and frowned. "Problem? I had no-" "Oh give me a break, please, would you? You *never* considered what I did a respectable means to make a living." "That's not true?" "It *is* true, Walter. Why do you think I got so mad at you that night?" Jo knelt down, bracing herself on the staff. "You demeaned everything that meant something to me that night. Everything that I put myself into was just a mindless hobby to you." He watched her take breath. "You accused me for *cheating* on you, for Christ's sake, Walter." Skinner looked at the ground underneath him. "I was wrong." Jo shifted suddenly. "You're damn right you were wrong," she replied. "Well what about that night, Joanne?" Walter asked. "What about that dinner that you missed? The one we had planned for a month? How do you think I felt sitting in front of the Director and his wife, telling them that you had an emergency and couldn't make it?" Jo blinked. "You?" "I lied for you, Joanne." He told her. "I lied to *my* employer for you." She shook her head. "I had no idea?" "No, I know," Walter replied. "That was part of the problem." He sighed. Thornton knelt in front of him and set the staff down beside her. "I wasn't fair to you," she said. "I shouldn't have went back to the VCS." "No," Skinner said. "No, that's what's best." "You don't get it." Jo moved closer to him and placed a hand on his knee. "I don't *want* to be back there." She looked to the dark sky as if for inspiration. "If it meant my job with the FBI, I would quit. No qualms about it." "I wouldn't let you quit for me," he said. "Walter, I can still work as a freelancer. I liked that. It gave me the freedom I needed while being with you." She watched him silently, one looking into the other's eyes for some kind of recognition or understanding. Skinner watched her with an undeterminable expression. "Joanne," he told her. "That's not it." He sighed. "Maybe we just need a break." Thornton took a deep breath. She was quiet for a moment before she nodded. "Okay," she replied. Walter swallowed, unsure if that was the best thing to do. "I'm sorry." Jo pursed her lips. "Yeah? so am I--" The sudden cry for help almost knocked Thornton to the ground. Both she and Skinner turned to the source of the noise and watched the other patrollers run into the camp waving their weapons. Jo got to her feet and watched the natives run from their huts. Mulder and Scully came out of the huts near to Jo and Skinner and look around, confused. Then she knew. They hadn't been prepared. They hadn't known. And the machine gun fire wasn't that far behind? ********* Joanne scrambled to her feet and ran toward Mulder and Scully. "Into the forest!" she yelled. The two agents turned and ducked their heads, trying to avoid being hit. Thornton glanced behind her to see Skinner right behind them. She lead them into a small area that was well covered. "Stay here," she said, looking behind her. "I have to save these people." Mulder put a hand on Jo's arm. "Jo, we can help," he said. Thornton looked at him blankly. "No you can not, Mulder," she replied. "Jo, come on, we--" Jo raised her hand in a wordless silencing. She bit her lip to prevent herself from yelling as she took a step forward. Mulder looked down at her and found it odd that he was the one that was intimidated. "Mulder, I will say this only once." She stared through him. "These are guerilla tactics, Mulder. This isn't the concrete jungle in DC, this is hardcore shit." Jo looked around. "But if you wanna go out there and get your head blown off beacuse you're the man who can do anything, Mulder, go ahead. That's fine with me. But I'm not going to be there to pick up after you, and believe me I would have to." She sighed, averted her eyes and started to turn. "This is not your fight, Mulder. Don't make it your fight." She looked at the trio of agents. "And if the three of you knew what was best for yourselves, you'd get your asses under cover." As if on cue, the Brazilian doubled over and dropped to her knees. "Ah shit..." Skinner appeared at her side. "Joanne..." "We've got to get under cover, sir," Scully told him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at the redhead behind him. "What do you mean? I can't leave her to--" "Sir, you don't understand." Dana looked around. "She won't be hurt, trust me. We have to get out of her way." "Walter..." Jo grunted. "Don't be an idiot. I'll be fine." Skinner looked at the woman beside him for a moment before darting off into the underbrush after his agents. He turned back when he heard an agonising human cry meld into an animal's unforgiving howl... ******** End o' parte tres... Introspective 2: Primal Eloquence (4/4) Nicole van Dam ******** I was never sure why I felt it. Why I had to. I always felt the change; the ripping of my body. It was almost as if I was tearing apart. The pain was unmeasurable, but never unfelt. Every time it happened, I always wished I would just die. I couldn't take it... I still can't. My head would cry for relief from the hundreds of nails that were passing through it and I scream only because my body would feel as if it was being split in two by a raging chainsaw. But I never felt more. Like I needed to. ******** The shadow shot through the trees and the brush, like it wasn't there. In a blink, it would be gone like a instant hallucination... And optical illusion. But it was anything but a mind game. The Brazilian natives knew what it was and miraculously, always managed to aviod injury. It dashed beside them, but they never blinked an eye. They knew it would save them. And it left only a whisper in the trees and the scent of the hunt. ******** I didn't get it then, and I still don't get it now. I could feel everything. Once the pain subsided I felt so free. The strength I possessed was amazing, I felt as if I was flying. Still with a human form, I darted through the trees, the once skin-splitting leaves were mere obstacles as they brushed and flapped against my face. The blood rushing through my veins served more than just a life giving source. I felt wild... untamed... unleashed. It was like the metamorphosis was the force that snapped the tether which holds everyone to their civilised sticking post... ******** "Would you get your arm outta my face, please?" Fox grunted and moved to the side. "Sorry." There was another long silence between the trio as they listened to the guns and the war cries around them. Mulder squinted at the campsite. He saw a lone figure standing in the middle of the clearing. Its hands were raised in surrender. "Hey," he whispered. "Isn't that Jo's friend?" "Who?" Scully asked. "Javez?" Mulder nodded as Skinner turned to look the way his agents were. "He's in trouble." ******** Javez was in trouble indeed. After leading the women and children to safety by the small waterfall not far from there, he had been spotted and led to the centre of camp... presumably to be shot. "We've got to do something," Dana whispered. Mulder looked around their feet and picked up a couple rocks. "Here," he said, handing both to Scully and Skinner. He snatched one up for himself. "We can use these." Skinner tested the weight of the rock in his hand as they raised themselves up a little, readying for the ambush. The Brazilian officials looked as if they were just teasing Javez for the moment. If they were going to make their move, it'd have to be soon. One to the left, one to the right, and one up the middle. That should do. If they moved fast enough, they might be able to avoid being shot... "Now... all we need is a diversion," Fox suggested. He reared his hand back as far as he could and was stopped short when he was poked in the back. Mulder looked at Scully and Skinner, both were right in front of him. "Diversion enough, for you?" came a heavily accented voice. The trio of federal agents turned in tandem to see a vaguely familiar face. "Officer Miguel Sanches," Walter pointed out to no one in particular. The dark-skinned officer smiled smugly, a semi-automatic weapon in hand. "I told you you would not make it, FBI," he said. "I just did not know I would be the one stopping you." He paused. "Get up." The agents stood and dropped their 'weapons'. Sanches led them to the centre of the camp, where Javez was now bound. ******** "It was hard enough with just the Arawak," Sanches explained as a few of his flunkies tied Mulder, Scully, Skinner and Javez together. "Then once your woman friend joined their ranks, it was almost impossible to surprise them." He nudged Skinner in the cheek roughly with the barrel of his gun. "I have you to thank for that, FBI," he said. The Brazilian officer turned his head to the side as he listened to his men screaming in horror. He returned his brown-eyed gaze to Skinner. "That is your friend," he told him quietly. "She is killing my men, one by one, two by two... They have no chance against such an animal." Walter glared at him. He did not like Jo being referred to an animal. Sanches knelt beside Skinner, noticing his sudden discomfort. "Why does that strike such a nerve, FBI?" he asked. "Surely you know a creature like she cannot be tamed." "Bastard," Skinner sputtered. "She's a human being, for god's sake." Miguel chuckled and stood. "Now I am sure you know she is not," he replied and spread his arms to the canopy, his gun in hand. "She is as wild as the jaguar." He looked pointedly at Skinner. "And you cannot tether such a powerful beast. It is its own master... And it is a wonderful one, at that." The Officer turned and walked maybe ten feet before squatting in front of the four captives. Skinner smirked. "Hey Sanches," he called. "Maybe if you're lucky, the beast will visit so we can have a ring side seat, huh?" ******** I could smell them. I never used to understand that phrase... The smell of fear... It's all too clear now. I was chasing a frightened officer before I caught the scent and stopped suddenly, my hands and feet digging into the wet mud. My head turned to the source before I had even stopped totally and my feet took me to them before I had even processed the information in my mind. I was flying through the trees at what felt like 70 miles an hour. I made for a tree not far from the scent and leapt stealthily a few times before reaching the desired branch. I crept along the branch until I could see the top of on officer's head right below me and I wondered absently... How come I could never remember this before? ******** Scully sighed and looked around her at the three men that were tied to her. Under normal circumstances, she might have enjoyed this situation, but now all she wanted was to get the hell out of the jungle and back to her warm, inviting bed. She looked up as one officer started talking to Sanches. The sounds of the jungle had silenced for the most part and the other officers looked anxious to get back to 'civilisation'. Like a rigged trap, however, the moment Sanches moved from his spot, there was a flash of action that lasted maybe a minute. The quartet of captives could only watch in amazement... ******** I dropped like a feather... but a feather tied to a stone. Humans are much too slow... It's sad, really. The officer below me went down under my feet and fled the living world with the single strike of my hand across his throat. I leapt off him as fast as I had arrived and tackled another officer, my claws sinking into his shoulders. I took his life as fast as the first, ripping out his throat and tossing it aside. I saw the third flee and the fourth was stunned. He went down much like the first. I tossed a wild gaze at the four in the middle of the melee before the familiar pain started and I was tossed back to the human world... weak and exhausted. ******** Dana Scully stepped out of her hut to the fresh morning of the Amazon. She glanced at the blood stains on the dusty ground before remembering the night before. They had to wait for an hour before a native came by to untie them. No one had the heart to wake Jo from her slumber on the ground. They just ended up moving her when they could themselves. Shaking her head, she saw her partner and the AD looking into Jo's hut. She set her bag by the hut's door and walked over. They were leaving that morning and she supposed she would miss it. The jungle was magnificent. She was glad that she got to appreciate it before it disappeared. "I don't know..." Mulder looked up and around the site again, scanning over the natives gathering their belongings. He scratched the back of his neck and Scully smiled. He looked so cute when he was dishevelled. "What's going on?" Scully asked. "We're looking for Joanne," Skinner explained. A small native boy ran up to them suddenly and starting talking to them. They looked at him, trying to figure out what he was saying and clued in when he pointed over a small cliff. They figured that was where Thornton disappeared to, so the three of them started over. ******** That was something I was sure to miss when I left. The water was so warm and so clear, having remained untouched by humans. I always skipped out and down the cliff when I could to bathe for a little while. It wasn't the same as soap and hot water, but it was good enough. And god, it always felt good. I ran my hands through my hair and let the stream of water run over me. The combination of the warm water and the warm breeze was soothing not only to my muscles, but my nerves as well. I slept solidly last night. And there's an overwhelming sense of relief. The authorities wouldn't be bothering the Arawak in a good long time now. They're still clearing the area in which I stand now for more homes or highways or some god awful modern thing, so we need to move. Heaven knows, maybe in a few year's time, we'll be able to live on concreate for the rest of our lives. It's okay, I guess. The Arawak are used to moving from place to place, though they had been here for some time. My sense of relief also comes from my saviours. Dana, Mulder and Walter were right to come here and I have to remember to tell them that. I'm glad they came. They helped me. I've come to terms with myself, I think. Which is good. Lord knows I'm enough of a bitch anyway. ******** "Um..." Fox Mulder had stopped suddenly, jerking forward when Skinner and Scully bumped into him. He blinked and Dana glared at him. "Mulder--" Scully stopped suddenly as she followed his gaze and caught sight of what was below. "Oh... my..." Skinner was merely silent, but they all stared at the spectacle below. The danger of languages is that you never know what others are saying when they point over cliffs. And they certainly couldn't have known the small Arawak was telling them that the Brazilian they knew and loved was bathing over that cliff. Something inside each of them said they should look away... But for some reason the voyeuristic tendencies most people have got the better of them. Skinner couldn't look away, Mulder wouldn't, and even Scully found herself transfixed, blinking at the lithe figure below. "Water does... good things for her," Fox pointed out, motioning at the figure under the waterfall. "It accents her..." "Eyes... or something," the redhead suggested. Dana shook herself to the present when Thornton stepped out of the water and grabbed what little clothing she had. Clearing her throat, Scully turned and started back to her bag. The two men noticed and followed her lead and stood in relative silence. "You guys ready?" came Joanne's voice from behind them. The redhead spun on her heel and looked surprised. "What?" "Ready," Thornton chuckled. "Are you guys ready?" "Oh... yeah, I am." Dana snatched her bag and dusted it off a little in embarrassment. "Us too," Fox said, picking up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He watched Scully smile and walk up to the Brazilian, giving her a hug. "Take care," she said. Jo saluted and returned the smile. "Likewise," she replied. Thornton pulled her closer to whisper in her ear and Dana stiffened, like she had been caught. "You take care of that lug over there," she whispered, nodding in Mulder's direction. Scully backed up and smiled again. Turning around, she started toward Javez, who was waiting to take them back to the highway. Thornton looked at Mulder who approached her for his turn. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "Later, Jo." "You take care of her," Jo told him with a smirk. She nodded at Scully who was out of earshot. Mulder nodded with an equally devious smirk and squeezed her hand before following his partner. Thornton turned to Skinner and watched him for a moment. "You're not coming back with us," he stated. He hadn't heard of this before. "Walter, it's my fault they have to leave," she said. "I'm taking it upon myself to at least help them to find a new home." He nodded and studied the ground. "I'll be back as soon as I can, Walter." Skinner reached forward and pulled Thornton into an embrace. The Brazilian's eyes closed. It felt so good just to be held again. The comfort was perhaps something she needed. It was so warm in his arms. But he didn't want it and that was okay. She understood. Backing away, Jo looked up at the man in front of her. "Take care of yourself," she said. Walter nodded and turned to leave. He paused and turned again, ready to say something. "I--" Jo covered his mouth before he had a chance to say it. "I know," she whispered. "Go on. They're waiting." Reluctantly, he turned and she watched him go. Perhaps it was all for the best. Maybe he was right, they needed a break. Thornton sighed. "Hey Jo!!" Mulder called. The Brazilian turned around with an eyebrow raised. "Nice body!!" Jo chuckled and shook her head. "Thank you, FBI Man!!" she called back, taking a bow. She straightened and waved them goodbye as they disappeared into the jungle. ******** It's all good. As pissed off as I was at them for coming here, they did help me out. And I think I have a few more things straightened in the order I'd like them to be in. Walking back to my hut to gather my things, I thought about the intrusion of my bathing time. They didn't know I saw them and it's funny. I smirked and wondered if they could have been more obvious when they stared at me. The three of them standing, dumbfounded, looked like they'd never seen a naked woman before. S'okay, I suppose. After all.... They're only humans... END Feedback (please, oh, please) to lone_jaguar@geocities.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Oh, man, I think I saw God." "Well that's good. You were calling his name enough times." --Mulder and Scully in The Abridged New Addition -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Locate my page: http://www.geocities.com/area51/cavern/9058 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Death to Roborat!!! >:-)